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All businesses and organisations will typically need some form of software during their lifecycle. The types of software utilised by most companies range from applications that will enable better management of key organisational functions – Human Resources, Finances and Accounts, inventory and stock and even running projects, to more specific items of software that have a key purpose such as Content Management Software for use on company websites. Although these software applications can be purchased “off the shelf”, there are many business benefits that can be associated with choosing custom software development.

Custom Software Development is created for you

Developing custom software is a bespoke, made to measure process, which means that any applications and software programmes created as a result of the process will be entirely made for your company and its individual needs and requirements. Basically, a piece of custom made software is flexible and has the potential to fulfil your specifications meaning that it is easy to use and can be deployed throughout your entire organisation. Instead of having to make do with a ready made software programme or application, with customised software you can be sure that what you will receive will be entirely fit for purpose. There are also significant financial benefits that can be associated with custom made software despite it costing a little more to purchase than off the shelf packages. Software applications that have been made for you don’t require any licence fees, so you can distribute them across your entire organisation without needing to pay extra.

Custom Software Developers will work with your Company

When creating software designed for your company, custom software developers will design and code it to integrate properly within your organisation. The software won’t just help you achieve what you need it to achieve, it will be rich in features and tools that will make it usable by the people who will be operating it. With a piece of custom software all the requirements of your company will be considered, and developers will meet these both in the way that they develop the software and the after care that they provide properly. Although some training and support is available with off the shelf software to a certain extent, with custom made software your developers will continue to work with and support your company whether that’s through training staff members in the use of the software or providing maintenance and technical help to remedy any errors that might occur in the software.

Customised Software is Safe and Secure

The ready made software packages available to businesses and organisations today are certainly a lot more secure than the ones that have been developed in previous years, however they don’t compare to the security levels of customised software. Because customised software has been created for your company it will only be usable by individuals in your company. When you purchase custom software you will be given administrator rights to the software ensuring that you can change and alter user profiles and passwords to be in accordance with your own internal data protection policies. Customised software used on the web is also a lot harder to hack than standard, off the shelf software, and you can be sure that a reputable custom software developer will work hard to keep your application or programme and the data it contains as safe and secure as possible.

Customised Software is Adaptable

Ready made software is designed to be adaptable and flexible, meeting your company’s needs and requirements both now and in the future. Even if you need a few different software programmes to accomplish organisational tasks, a custom developer will be able to integrate the different processes that you need into a single, usable application. Custom software is also much more likely to be cross-platform suitable, so you can be sure that when your company goes mobile you have the software that will support it.

In lieu of staffing a logistics department, many shippers turn to Third Party Logistics (3PL) providers to secure the best carrier arrangements. However, depending on the type of shipping management you need, 3PL can be as costly as staffing in-house experts. It can also make you feel distanced from the distribution process.

Instead of using 3PL, many businesses now use shipping logistics software – a class of applications that perform the logistical analysis traditionally performed by experts. If you are considering the software as an alternative to 3PL, but you have questions about its benefits and applications, the answers below can be helpful:

How much knowledge is required to operate the applications?

Ideally, the user should have a proficient understanding of transportation logistics, but a consummate understanding of logistical analysis is unnecessary. After performing logistical analysis based on the data you supply, the applications provide you with a list of recommended options via a user-friendly interface.

How much can the applications reduce the cost of freight transportation?

Research shows that top-notch shipping logistics software can reduce the cost of freight transportation by ten percent in the first year. Depending on your transportation process, the percentage could be even higher.

Can the applications support a transportation management system?

TMS software can support a Transportation Management System (TMS) by helping shippers perform the crucial processes of freight transportation management: planning and deciding on transportation arrangements, monitoring the transportation process, and measuring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Are applications available that support LTL transportation?

Yes. The applications can be designed to support any freight transportation need, including LTL transportation. If you routinely ship partial loads, LTL software can help you identify more affordable transportation arrangements than Truck Load (TL) or parcel shipping.

Are the applications available on a web-based model?

Yes, the applications are available on a web-based model. They are also available on an in-house model. Most shippers choose the latter due to its cost effectiveness and the ability to access the application remotely.

How much do the applications cost?

The cost of the applications depends on several factors, particularly whether it is implemented on an in-house, or a SaaS (Software as a Service) model, along with the logistical options you need. The best way to receive an accurate cost assessment is to have a provider of logistics software review your freight transportation process and administrative needs.

What if the transportation process changes after implementing an application?

The application you implement is not set in stone. If you experience new shipping needs, you can add new logistical options to the existing system. In terms of adding new options, implementing a web-based application typically offers the most flexibility.

Conclusion

Shipping logistics software is a cost effective alternative to staffing experts or contracting with a 3PL provider. Unlike 3PL, it puts you in direct control of freight transportation, helping you identify the best transportation arrangements in terms of freight safety, delivery time, and transportation cost. To learn more about the benefits of TMS software and other types of logistics software, contact a provider of web-based logistical solutions today.

The expensive iPhone and its unique technology, features and mobile applications, though of exceptional class, are well beyond the reach of the rapidly growing next generation of mobile users. Android mobiles are now the preferred choice of working executives, housewives and senior citizens from the Middle income groups, college goers and highschoolers. With the increasing popularity of Android mobiles, Android mobile applications development is also bound to grow in order meet the demand from a diverse section of subscribers.

The Android operating system that powers most Smartphone of today was released as early as 2007 by Google and has been providing a host of features for both the end users and application developers. Android mobile applications have come to the rescue of mobile service operators looking to woo the next generation mobile users, who are constantly seeking new, challenging and useful applications that allow them to customize / personalize the otherwise standard device.

Developed using the structured yet friendly Java language, Android mobile applications span a range of functions from utility to enterprise apps, catering to almost all requirements of the next generation mobile users including music, videos, shopping, bill payments, banking, web-based apps, social networking and instant messaging. The growing demand arising from increased mobile penetration, availability of moderately priced smart phones and improved telecom services, drive scores of dedicated application developers to effectively harness the capabilities of the Android SDK to deliver outstanding Android mobile applications, in the process paving the way for a healthy competition.

The Android SDK offers an easy-to-use development platform which has a lot of in-built features to develop quality applications for the mobile users. Tutorials, in-built code and 3D graphic libraries, testing, debugging utilities, as well as handset emulator and multi-tasking facilities on the Android OS can be utilized effectively to build conventional / modern scalable applications for the Smartphone. The OS has the capacity to seamlessly integrate with a wide range of connectivity /communication technologies such as CDMA, GSM/EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Wi-MAX, UMTS and more, and can ably deliver corresponding services depending on the hardware of the underlying mobile device. Since the next generation 4G services are expected to be rendered on Android mobile applications are bound to capitalize on the large volume of data, speeds, and quality of the services to effectively showcase their presence.

Android mobile applications developed on the Android SDK are quite cost-effective as the SDK is open source software, constantly tested and improved by a tenacious group of self-motivated programmers. Any trained java developer will be able churn out a range of rich and challenging mobile apps with relative ease and also get familiar with SDK using the documentation and samples provided with the package. Java being a structured language allows re-use of code, further reducing the time/effort and cost of developing Android mobile applications.

The Android OS has also been designed to cater to additional hardware requirements of 3G, GPS, compass, accelerometer and the standard camera functions, enabling applications to support all mobile hardware configurations in the present as well as the near future, making it an ideal platform for servicing evolving mobile phone designs.